Fresh-Air Adventures, Nature, and Tours for All Ages
Palm Springs is one of Southern California’s best destinations for outdoor family adventures. Surrounded by mountains, canyons, desert gardens, and wide-open skies, the city offers experiences that help kids burn energy, spark curiosity, and connect with nature—all while parents enjoy the scenery and sunshine.
From Jeep tours and rotating tram cars to palm-filled canyons and botanical gardens, these outdoor activities highlight a different side of family travel in Palm Springs. This guide focuses on open-air experiences, tours, and nature-based attractions that work for a wide range of ages and interests.
Outdoor Family Tour in Palm Springs
Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours
Few experiences introduce families to the desert landscape as well as an open-air Jeep tour. Desert Adventures offers guided excursions to the San Andreas Fault, Indian Canyons, and Painted Canyon in the Mecca Hills Wilderness Area. Knowledgeable guides bring geology, wildlife, and local history to life, making the tour both educational and exciting.
Climate-controlled tours to Joshua Tree National Park are also available, offering a comfortable way to explore iconic desert scenery.
Good to know: The minimum age is 5 years.
👉 Joshua Tree Day Trip from Palm Springs
Palm Springs Windmill Tours
The Palm Springs Windmill Tours provide rare behind-the-fence access to a working wind farm. Families can explore interactive exhibits, historical displays, and observation points that explain how wind and solar energy power the Coachella Valley.
Kids love seeing the massive turbines up close, while parents appreciate the educational focus and photo-worthy views.
👉 Palm Springs Windmill Tours
Nature & Scenic Attractions for Families
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
One of Palm Springs’ most iconic experiences, the Aerial Tramway carries visitors more than 8,500 feet up Chino Canyon's cliffs in rotating tram cars. The ten-minute ride delivers sweeping valley views and instant relief from desert heat.
At the top, families can explore Mount San Jacinto State Park with easy nature walks, picnic areas, and cooler alpine air, making it a great year-round outdoor escape.
👉 The Ultimate Guide to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway | Get Tickets
Indian Canyons & Tahquitz Canyon
Managed by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Indian Canyons and nearby Tahquitz Canyon offer some of the most accessible family hiking in the region.
- Indian Canyons feature palm oases, flowing streams, and mostly flat trails suitable for beginners.
- Tahquitz Canyon combines cultural history with a dramatic 60-foot waterfall hike that feels adventurous without being overwhelming.
From October through June, ranger-led programs and interpretive hikes add an educational layer that families appreciate.
👉 Guide to the Tahquitz Canyon Visitor Center
Moorten Botanical Garden & Cactarium
This historic family-owned garden showcases more than 3,000 varieties of desert plants arranged by geographic region. Kids enjoy wandering through cactus gardens and discovering unusual plant shapes, while parents love the calm, shaded setting.
The garden’s Mediterranean-style “Cactus Castle” adds a charming Old Palm Springs feel to the visit.
Outdoor Museums & Educational Stops
Palm Springs Air Museum
Set on expansive outdoor grounds near the airport, the Palm Springs Air Museum blends aviation history with hands-on experiences. Kids can climb inside vintage aircraft, try flight simulators, and see WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War planes up close.
The outdoor layout allows families to explore at their own pace without feeling confined indoors.
Kids 12 and under are free with paid adult admission. Get Tickets
McCallum Adobe Museum & Ruddy’s General Store
Located downtown as part of the Palm Springs Historical Society, these historic sites offer a walkable, outdoor-friendly way to explore Palm Springs history.
- McCallum Adobe Museum highlights early settlement and desert life.
- Ruddy’s General Store Museum recreates a mid-century general store filled with authentic memorabilia.
Together, they create a short, educational stop that fits easily into a day of sightseeing.
Active Outdoor Fun for Kids
Smoke Tree Stables
Horseback riding at Smoke Tree Stables introduces families to desert trails in a peaceful, memorable way. Guided rides range from one hour to full-day adventures through scenic terrain near Indian Canyons.
Age requirement: Children 7 and older.
Palm Springs Skate Park
One of Southern California's top skate parks, this expansive facility includes bowls, street sections, and a replica of the famous Nude Bowl. Managed programs, lessons, and camps make it approachable for beginners and experienced skaters alike.
Boomers! Palm Springs
For families seeking high-energy outdoor entertainment, Boomers! delivers go-karts, miniature golf, bumper boats, and climbing attractions—perfect for an afternoon break from sightseeing.
Easy Outdoor Family Time in Downtown Palm Springs
Strolling Downtown Palm Springs
Some of the best family moments in Palm Springs happen at an easy pace. Downtown Palm Springs is compact, walkable, and filled with visual interest that keeps kids engaged without feeling like an “activity.”
Families can stroll Palm Canyon Drive and nearby side streets to spot colorful murals, public art, midcentury architecture, and, of course, Palm Springs downtown park. Enjoy sweet treats, casual cafés, and souvenir stops that make it easy to turn a simple walk into a relaxed afternoon outing.
This is an especially good option for:
- Arrival or departure days
- Cooler mornings or evenings
- Families with strollers or mixed age groups
Explore More Family-Friendly Palm Springs
Palm Springs offers far more than outdoor adventure. For a complete trip-planning experience, explore these related guides:
